Litter Training Your Ferret by Calvin_and_Hobbes

[Remedy]

So, we finally went ahead with our plan to force our ferrets into using a litter box. I bought a square one with a high back, and took a large fabric sheet I had made a couple years ago but never made. We gave the bottom of the cage a really good scrubbing, then placed the litter box inside. Because we had problems with Twitch moving the last box around, we kept it in place by drilling holes into it so we could twist-tie the box to the bars of the cage, followed by the use of adhesive velcro at the corners. Holy cow, that litter box is in there, SOLID.

From there we arranged the fabric around the bottom of the cage, excluding the litter box. We kept it in place by having the fabric hang over the edge of the cage bottom and the bars keeping them in place. We then clipped all their favorite plush toys to any possible corners they may decide to poop in. Litter was put into the litter box, then we put the ferrets into the cage.

Within ten minutes, both had taken a poo in the box. We were so excited, it was retarded really. XD They went the entire night using the box without any "accidents" anywhere else. They seem to love the huge blanket at the bottom of the cage too, they keep burrowing into its folds and falling asleep there. They've also played with the toys a lot too. I can't see them pooping on their new "bedding" and favorite toys, so I think we finally have a successful litter box usage.

*does a happy jig*

[brittany]

Remedy- my ferrets are the exact same way as yours were, I've even used the rectangle boxes. I've tried moving their poops into the litter box and putting their toys, food/water bowl, beds, etc in the other corners. They still poop right beside the litter box, and scatter the litter everywhere, even if it's dirty. So I just gave up, and put litter in the 2 corners they go in, directly on the floor of the cage (the bottom of their cage has like a 3 inch border-wall). It's easier to scoop the litter from the cage bottom rather than scrape poop off of it and wash it every day.

[shicaca]

I know this is slightly off topic, but I've read in a few places about the butt scoot after they're done pooping. My first rat (I call them that lovingly) didn't do this until recently until after the second one came into the picture. Now both of them do it. Is there any way to stop them from butt scooting after they poop?

[Remedy]

shicaca said:

I know this is slightly off topic, but I've read in a few places about the butt scoot after they're done pooping. My first rat (I call them that lovingly) didn't do this until recently until after the second one came into the picture. Now both of them do it. Is there any way to stop them from butt scooting after they poop?

Has your older ferret's poops changed at all? If his poops have become runnier, that could be why he's scooting. Kipling and Twitch had runny poops when we switched their food, and they were scooting a lot.

[TrioOfTrixters]

I know it was posted almost a year ago, but to keep them from making streak marks on the floor while scooting, i just put an old towel in front of and around the side of the boxes. Not only does it give them some nice soft TP other than the carpet, but it seems to help discourage some of my lazier ones from going next to the box rather than in it.

[nytetears]

I have had great success litter training my ferrets. I fill the whole area up with blankets except for the litter box so there is no other option but to use the litter box. This has worked on all the ferrets I have ever owned. I got my 5 fosters (4 now rip kermit) and all hell has broken loose. They came from the shelter totally untrained. I put the bedding all over the floor and they poop on the bedding. I have never had a ferret do that. They will poop right next to the litter boxes. I have seen them walk up to a box, not even attempt to enter it and poop beside it. I have tried cut down fronts for easy access, extra large litter pans. Non clumping cat litter, pellet litter. The only thing that seems to help (again not 100% but its better then other things) is to put 3-4 litter boxes lining the walls of the cage. This leaves little to no room for sleeping and playing. I am desperate here does anyone have any other methods that might help?

[destiny83105]

Hi, if my ferret is three years old and is trained to go on newspapers, if i put the newspapers in a rectangle cat box will he still use it or does it only work at a young age? thanks.

[foldedpuppy]

I have a triangular box which my girls use and both hit 100% of the time, but my boy...... he likes to sniff the poop and just go around the box and not in it, Rupert also used to try pulling the toilet off the cage wall, so I used some very thin wire to wind it on using the toilet's clips and the wire on the cage and now he's given up trying to move the toilet!!!

[nibblesandspazz]

I got my little guys from the shelter about 2 motnhs ago. they are young adults. my little boy is finally using the litter box if there are toys everywhere else but my little girl keeps going on the shelves. i have attached toys to the bars near the selves and she lifts them up then poops under them. any suggestions?

[anglethatispurple]

HOw can i stop my ferret from dragging her food in to the box with her poo? Im afraid she get sick with parasites or something from her poo.

[forland]

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